Shocked and not knowing what else to do, Elizabeth embraced her, trapping her hands where she could no longerhit herself. While Miss Darcy sobbed, Elizabeth continued to hold her, whispering soothing sounds and words. Never had she been more aware of what Mr Darcy and his family had to deal with, of just how ill the poor girl truly was. Despite her overarching concern for Miss Darcy, Elizabeth sensed her own anger—at what had happened between Mr Darcy and herself—lessen.
Shortly, she felt Miss Darcy’s arms around her waist. She began to speak of Mr Wickham.
“I told him my brother was coming to Ramsgate and I would inform him of our engagement. I believed my family would be happy for me, but he said my brother would never give his consent. I thought he was mistaken and insisted my brother ought to know. He claimed he was only concerned there would be a delay. It was because he loved me so much andneededto marry me right away. What if my brother and cousin said I was too young? We would have to wait years until I was seventeen or eighteen, and he could not bear that. Then he said he knew what would make them have to let us marry.”
She let out a long whimpering sound. “I did not know what he meant, but he asked me whether I loved him—whether I wanted to marry him and make him happy. I said I did. He had been so charming, did everything to convince me he truly loved me, despite me being so much younger than him. I was not like other girls. He-he said it was the only way, and he…hedidthings. I did not know what he would do to me. I did not like it, it hurt, and I wanted him to stop. It feltwrong, and I was sure it was, but he was so strong, and he said that Ihadto let him, that it would make me his wife, and that after telling him I wanted to marry him, I could not change my mind andsay no. It would be too cruel, impossible for any man, but I did not know what he intended and-and…”
Mr Darcy had told Elizabeth much of what had happened after his arrival in Ramsgate, how he had informed Mr Wickham he would not obtain Miss Darcy’s dowry for years and that, regardless of what had happened between them, he would not force a marriage. Nevertheless, Elizabeth listened in silence as Miss Darcy explained it in fits and starts. She was distraught at present, and it must have been so much worse at the time. It was no wonder that Mr Darcy had been quick to do whatever necessary to bring his sister some relief.
After letting her cry for a while longer, Elizabeth made the girl look at her without entirely releasing their hold on each other.
“What he did to you was very, very wrong. He was unforgivably cruel and used you for his own gain. I can well imagine how easily he was able to convince you of what he wanted you to believe. He lied to me, and because he is handsome and charming, and I liked what he said, I did not question a word of it—and I was five years older than you were when I met him. The only person to blame in this is him. I know it, your brother, the colonel, your aunt and uncle, everyone familiar with the situation knows it—except you, and more than anything, I wish I could convince you.”
Miss Darcy’s brow furrowed, almost—if Elizabeth dared to believe it—as though she was carefully contemplating what Elizabeth had said.
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
Afew minutes later, Elizabeth judged that Miss Darcy was sufficiently composed and stepped to the wash-stand to fetch a cool cloth for her. Miss Darcy willingly took the cotton square and wiped her cheeks, then withdrew a handkerchief from her pocket and rubbed it under her nose.
“What say I call for tea? I would wager you could use a cup, and perhaps something to eat?” Without meaning to, Elizabeth spoke as though addressing a child.
Miss Darcy nodded. “I suppose I ought to eat. I have not since yesterday.”
“You must be very hungry.”
When Miss Darcy shrugged, Elizabeth fought to keep from frowning, concerned the younger woman would see the disapproval and it would make it more difficult for her to accept Elizabeth’s help. Not eating would only make her feel worse, and she was determined to see that Miss Darcy consumed a good meal.
Elizabeth summoned Jane’s maid, requested she arrange for tea and food, and asked that Bingley’s valet be informed she would require his services in five or ten minutes. She then sat beside Miss Darcy once again. “You heard me say I would need my brother’s valet?”
Miss Darcy regarded her suspiciously and nodded.
“I feel we must send word to your brother to inform him of your whereabouts.” When Miss Darcy began to shake her head and opened her mouth to speak, Elizabeth gently laid a hand over hers. “It must be done. I understand you acted in the manner you believed best for him, but I promise you, he has never wanted you gone. I am as certain of that as I am that we are here together. He and the colonel will be frantic not knowing where you are and that you are safe—and youaresafe with me.”
Elizabeth could have done the deed surreptitiously, but she believed she had earned some of Miss Darcy’s trust and she did not want to lose it by keeping her intentions a secret. Miss Darcy had confided in her, perhaps in a way she had not any other person. That she had felt able to tell Elizabeth what had happened in Ramsgate was a responsibility and, in its own way, a privilege. Miss Darcy hung her head and kept her gaze downwards, but she did not withdraw her hand; Elizabeth considered it a victory, and she dared to forge ahead.
“Your brother loves you dearly, as does your entire family. They are good, caring people and want only the best for you. Do you know that your cousin Rebecca and I have become friends?” Miss Darcy nodded without looking up. “She speaks so well of you and hopes that you and she will grow closer now that you are older. You may not know this, but Viscount Bramwell is in love with her.”
“My brother said he thought they would marry.”
Elizabeth gave a soft chuckle. “I would be very surprised if they did not. Since you spend a great deal of time with the earl and countess, you will see her more often. Would that not be lovely?”
Miss Darcy nodded.
“It can be difficult to recognise how much the people closest to us love us. Even before I met you, I knew that your brother adored you. Nothing has changed that, not even having to give up his hope of marrying me. When we met last summer, I liked you very much, and I knew that, if I did marry your brother, I would soon grow to love you as much as I do my other sisters. I still believe that is true and that you and I could become good friends one day.”
Miss Darcy glanced at her, and Elizabeth saw that her cheeks had taken on a little colour.
“Your brother wishes thesituationwere different, absolutely not that you were gone from his life.”
“I know what he wishes. He wishes he could have you, and if I were not here, he could.” Miss Darcy spoke quietly but with conviction.
“And I know that he wishes he had never let you go to Ramsgate, that he had never hired Mrs Younge, that he had told you why he was no longer friends with that man. In other words, he wishes he had better protected you, and he wishes he knew how to help you be well again.”
There was a pause in their conversation as tea and plates of pie, fruit, and cake arrived. As Miss Darcy began to nibble at the food, Elizabeth wrote a short note to inform Mr Darcy that his sister was well and at the inn where she and the Bingleys were staying. She asked the valet to send it express, impressing on him that it must reach Pemberley as quickly as possible,and to apprise Jane and Bingley of the situation when they returned.
Elizabeth took a cup of tea and once again sat on the bed. The room had only one chair, and Miss Darcy was occupying it as she ate. For her part, Elizabeth had no appetite, and she suspected her companion needed the sustenance far more than she did. Miss Darcy watched her from the corner of her eye. Her expression was guarded. Elizabeth allowed instinct to guide her words and hoped she would not make the situation worse.
“I understand if you distrust what I said earlier, but your brother and I have spoken about everything. Last spring, he wanted me to understand why our…friendship had to end. My impression was that he needed someone to speak to candidly, someone he trusted and who was not as affected by what happened as your family is.”
